The English youth season got underway at the weekend with three Sunderland teams in action.

The Crowtree-based club are playing out of Newcastle Telewest Arena as their home rink is under repair.

And Sunderland are not rescheduled for a Crowtree return until at least February.

There were two local derbies on Sunday, firstly Sunderland Apaches meeting Billingham Coyotes in an English Under-10 North encounter, both sides new to the league.

Apaches emerged 12-0 winners but Billingham arrived with an insufficient number of players and the result is likely to go down as a challenge match.

However, this is subject to ratification by the English Ice Hockey Association and the match may be awarded 5-0 to Sunderland. Apaches were ahead in the third minute through Grant Sharp and a spell of five goals between 9.16 and 15.14 put Apaches 6-0 ahead.

Michael Ewer and Stephen Ashley each grabbed a pair, Joshua Lalande also scored.

Sharp struck home his second 19 seconds into the restart. Jack Watkins, Sharp (2) and Jack Watkins completed the scoring for a 12-0 win.

Apaches scorers: Sharp 4+4, Elder and Lalande 2+2, S Ashley 2+6, J Watkins and C Davies 1+0.

The second game between the two clubs followed at U-12 (Bantam) North A League level, Sunderland Cherokees facing Billingham Pumas.

Richard Emerson gave Cherokees a good start by putting them ahead at 5.53.

He added another three at 08.50, 11.26 and 16.47 while James Moutrey 9.17 and 12.31 plus Martyn Davies 17.08 made it 7-0 at the halfway stage.

Mark Robson extended the advantage when he scored twice at 30.33 and 22.46.

A workmanlike Pumas were rewarded with two goals in the 30th minute through Jake Roberts and Gary Beck. Cherokees visit Sheffield tomorrow (face-off noon).

Cherokees scorers: R Emmerson 4+1, J Moutrey 2+2. M Robson 2+0, M Davies 1+1, S Spence and K Nelson 0+1.

Pumas scorers: G Beck and J Roberts 1+0, B Walker-Moore 0+1.

Sunderland Tomahawks hosted Blackburn in the U-19 North A League. Tomahawks handed a debut to netminder Sam Roberts signed from Bradford. Tomahawks, who swiftly took a grip of the game, triumphed 18-6.

Kristian Lloyd put Tomahawks ahead after 19 seconds and led 4-0 through Andrew Mathieson, Lloyd and 13-year-old Michael Allinson, making his debut, in less than ten minutes.

Tomahawks reduced the gap a minute later only for a Lloyd double to make it 6-1 at 13.47.

The visitors replied strongly and cut the deficit to 6-5 by the end of the first period.

Jonathan Huntley struck twice for the home side at 22-15 and 27-02 for an 8-5 lead. Blackburn hit back with another 30 seconds later.

Tomahawks stepped up a gear with four before the end of the period from James Hutchinson (2), Lloyd and Andrew Munroe.

Sunderland gave all their side ice time and young Stuart Kitching came on to replace Roberts in goal for the final period. They hit a further six goals without reply and on target were Adam Carr, Mathieson, Munro, Dean Hamilton Steven Goldsmith and Lloyd to record his double hat trick.

Tomahawks scorers: K Lloyd 6+3. J Hutchinson 2+4, A Mathieson and A Munroe 2+2, J Huntley 2+1, M Allinson and D Hamilton 1+1, A Carr and S Goldsmith 1+0, B Snook, K Barker, D Thomas and C Morgan 0+1.

On Sunday, Tomahawks are at Sheffield Steelhawks (face off 5pm).

l Billingham Wildcats begin their Women's Northern League fixtures tomorrow with a trip to Sheffield Shadows (face off 5pm).

There are five teams in the league this season, Blackburn, Telford and Whitley Bay Squaws the other teams involved.

The clubs play opponents four times a season